Welcome to the Hog Blog, a blog chronicling minor-league baseball in the Lehigh Valley. Tom Housenick, The Morning Call's IronPigs beat writer, has been at The Morning Call since 2008. In a previous lifetime, he was at Lackawanna County Stadium in Moosic talking with future Phillies Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard, among many others.
He’ll now be spending his summers in search of who the Phillies are hoping to be the next Chase Utley and Cole Hamels plus any outfielder who catch and hit. What he really hopes to find are the next Mariano Rivera, Todd Helton and Jim Thome --- great human beings who happened to be great at this sport.
He spent the last five years covering Colonial League football, college basketball and high school track & field.

No official announcement yet on the details, but rehabbing Phillies pitcher Brett Myers is expected to make back-to-back appearances for the IronPigs Tuesday and Wednesday.

Myers, who underwent hip surgery on June 4, threw a session in the Coca-Cola Park bullpen Monday afternoon under the watchful eyes of IronPigs pitching coach Rod Nichols.

Myers has made four rehab appearances so far, the latest Saturday night at Reading when he threw two innings for the second straight appearance.

If all goes well here, Myers is expected to be activated Friday when the Phillies travel to Houston to begin a road trip. He will work out of the bullpen for the Phillies.

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It's the day before major league teams can expand their rosters to 40, and the Phillies made a most intriguing move Monday.

Brad Harman, the Australian second baseman who has struggled the past two years at Double-A Reading, was removed from the 40-man roster, replaced by injured pitcher John Ennis.

Ennis, who started the season with the IronPigs before undergoing Tommy John surgury in April, was immediately placed on the major league 15-day disabled list.

Obviously the move benefits Ennis, who now gets major league pay for doing exactly what he was doing for the past four months -- recoveing from surgey.

But apparently the move also enables the Phillies to add any pitcher that's currently in the organization onto the playoff roster if necessary.

Look for Ennis to be shifted to the 60-day disabled list, which doesn't count against the 40-man roster, at some point -- maybe Friday, when Myers is expected to be activated. Myers is currently on the 60-day DL as well.

No official announcement yet on the details, but rehabbing Phillies pitcher Brett Myers is expected to make back-to-back appearances for the IronPigs Tuesday and Wednesday.

Myers, who underwent hip surgery on June 4, threw a session in the Coca-Cola Park bullpen Monday afternoon under the watchful eyes of IronPigs pitching coach Rod Nichols.

Myers has made four rehab appearances so far, the latest Saturday night at Reading when he threw two innings for the second straight appearance.

If all goes well here, Myers is expected to be activated Friday when the Phillies travel to Houston to begin a road trip. He will work out of the bullpen for the Phillies.

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It's the day before major league teams can expand their rosters to 40, and the Phillies made a most intriguing move Monday.

Brad Harman, the Australian second baseman who has struggled the past two years at Double-A Reading, was removed from the 40-man roster, replaced by injured pitcher John Ennis.

Ennis, who started the season with the IronPigs before undergoing Tommy John surgury in April, was immediately placed on the major league 15-day disabled list.

Obviously the move benefits Ennis, who now gets major league pay for doing exactly what he was doing for the past four months -- recoveing from surgey.

But apparently the move also enables the Phillies to add any pitcher that's currently in the organization onto the playoff roster if necessary.

Look for Ennis to be shifted to the 60-day disabled list, which doesn't count against the 40-man roster, at some point -- maybe Friday, when Myers is expected to be activated. Myers is currently on the 60-day DL as well.

Cleveland isn't wasting any time showcasing one of the top young talents brought in during their pre-trading deadline fire sale.

Ex-IronPig Carlos Carrasco will make his major league debut at Detroit Tuesday, the day major league rosters can be expanded to 40.

Carrasco, 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA for Columbus since being sent to the Indians with Lou Marson, Jason Donald and Jason Knapp for Cliff Lee, is 11-10 overall in the IL this year with a 4.64 ERA. He leads the league in both innings (157) and strikeouts (148).

"He's improved since he's come over here, I think," Indians manager Eric Wedge told Lisa Winston of MLB.com. "He's done a batter job of working through the ballgame and getting a little deeper into the game."

It's no surprise that the Indians, who have taken major heat from their fan base for dealing Lee and catcher Victor Martinez before the deadline, are anxious to show off some of the talent they got back. Marson will also join the Indians, and chances are Donald would have too if it weren't for back spasms that landed him on the DL at Columbus.

Ironically, if his back allows him to, Donald is expected to join Akron for the Double-A playoffs, where he could play against Reading.

Speaking of injuries, Knapp has been pretty much shut down this year with a shoulder injury that has the Indians somewhat nervous. He underwent an MRI Friday. Although Carrasco, Marson and Donald are nearly major-league ready, the Indians said when the trade was made they wouldn't have done the deal with the Phillies if Knapp wasn't included.

Cleveland isn't wasting any time showcasing one of the top young talents brought in during their pre-trading deadline fire sale.

Ex-IronPig Carlos Carrasco will make his major league debut at Detroit Tuesday, the day major league rosters can be expanded to 40.

Carrasco, 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA for Columbus since being sent to the Indians with Lou Marson, Jason Donald and Jason Knapp for Cliff Lee, is 11-10 overall in the IL this year with a 4.64 ERA. He leads the league in both innings (157) and strikeouts (148).

"He's improved since he's come over here, I think," Indians manager Eric Wedge told Lisa Winston of MLB.com. "He's done a batter job of working through the ballgame and getting a little deeper into the game."

It's no surprise that the Indians, who have taken major heat from their fan base for dealing Lee and catcher Victor Martinez before the deadline, are anxious to show off some of the talent they got back. Marson will also join the Indians, and chances are Donald would have too if it weren't for back spasms that landed him on the DL at Columbus.

Ironically, if his back allows him to, Donald is expected to join Akron for the Double-A playoffs, where he could play against Reading.

Speaking of injuries, Knapp has been pretty much shut down this year with a shoulder injury that has the Indians somewhat nervous. He underwent an MRI Friday. Although Carrasco, Marson and Donald are nearly major-league ready, the Indians said when the trade was made they wouldn't have done the deal with the Phillies if Knapp wasn't included.

The area's newest professional sports organization will honor one of the area's most successful pro athletes ever Thursday night when legendary driver Mario Andretti throws out the first pitch prior to IronPigs game with Syracuse at Coca-Cola Park.

As part of the celebration for the man acclaimed by many to be the greatest race car driver in history, the team will wear special “Pedal to the Medal” jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Allentown YMCA and YWCA. The jersey auction is sponsored by The Finish Line Running Store and Back in Action.

Andretti, patriarch of a racing family that includes son Michael and nephew John, remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship. He and Juan Pablo Montoya are also also the only driver to have won a race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Formula One, and an Indianapolis 500. Overall Andretti won 111 races over a career that spanned five decades, and in 2000 was named Driver of the Century by the Associated Press.

The area's newest professional sports organization will honor one of the area's most successful pro athletes ever Thursday night when legendary driver Mario Andretti throws out the first pitch prior to IronPigs game with Syracuse at Coca-Cola Park.

As part of the celebration for the man acclaimed by many to be the greatest race car driver in history, the team will wear special “Pedal to the Medal” jerseys which will be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Allentown YMCA and YWCA. The jersey auction is sponsored by The Finish Line Running Store and Back in Action.

Andretti, patriarch of a racing family that includes son Michael and nephew John, remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship. He and Juan Pablo Montoya are also also the only driver to have won a race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Formula One, and an Indianapolis 500. Overall Andretti won 111 races over a career that spanned five decades, and in 2000 was named Driver of the Century by the Associated Press.

The IronPigs bid for a .500 season took a hit today when it was announced reliever Cedrick Bowers and third baseman Terry Tiffee have been named to the U.S. squad that will try to defend its World Baseball Cup championship in September in Europe.

The duo will leave Tuesday for Team USA's training camp in Cary, N.C. for five days of workouts and games against the Canadian National Team before heading to Europe for the tournament, which runs Sept. 9 through 27.

Reading reliever B.J. Rosenberg was also selected for the squad.

Bowers leads the team with 47 appearances and has posted a 1.96 ERA while saving five games. Tiffee, who didn't join the team until June 22 because of back and leg injuries suffered in spring training, is hitting .283 with five homers and 34 RBIs.

Tiffee was also a member of last year's U.S. Olympic squad which finished third in Beijing.

The U.S. beat Cuba 6-3 in the 2007 World Cup final in Taiwan, the first U.S. title since 1974.

The IronPigs bid for a .500 season took a hit today when it was announced reliever Cedrick Bowers and third baseman Terry Tiffee have been named to the U.S. squad that will try to defend its World Baseball Cup championship in September in Europe.

The duo will leave Tuesday for Team USA's training camp in Cary, N.C. for five days of workouts and games against the Canadian National Team before heading to Europe for the tournament, which runs Sept. 9 through 27.

Reading reliever B.J. Rosenberg was also selected for the squad.

Bowers leads the team with 47 appearances and has posted a 1.96 ERA while saving five games. Tiffee, who didn't join the team until June 22 because of back and leg injuries suffered in spring training, is hitting .283 with five homers and 34 RBIs.

Tiffee was also a member of last year's U.S. Olympic squad which finished third in Beijing.

The U.S. beat Cuba 6-3 in the 2007 World Cup final in Taiwan, the first U.S. title since 1974.

The talented outfielder is out with a strained lat muscle (rib cage pull, for those of us who remember such things) and there's no timetable for his return.

Taylor did say during last week's brief home stand against the Yankees that he didn't want to rush back and reaggravate the injury since he wants to play winter ball in the offseason to get some more at-bats.

As expected Brian Mazone took Taylor's spot and will start tonight's game in Pawtucket as a spot starter necessitated by last week's doubleheader against Scranton.

The moves give the IronPigs 11 position players and 13 pitchers on the current roster.

Also, David Newhan, who left Saturday's game in the second inning, is day-to-day with an undisclosed leg injury.

The talented outfielder is out with a strained lat muscle (rib cage pull, for those of us who remember such things) and there's no timetable for his return.

Taylor did say during last week's brief home stand against the Yankees that he didn't want to rush back and reaggravate the injury since he wants to play winter ball in the offseason to get some more at-bats.

As expected Brian Mazone took Taylor's spot and will start tonight's game in Pawtucket as a spot starter necessitated by last week's doubleheader against Scranton.

The moves give the IronPigs 11 position players and 13 pitchers on the current roster.

Also, David Newhan, who left Saturday's game in the second inning, is day-to-day with an undisclosed leg injury.

Thursday's auction of the green jerseys worn by the IronPigs in their game against Scranton raised about $7,000 for IronPigs Charities and Compass Charter Schools.

The biggest sellers, in no particular order, were Jason Elison, Mike Cervenak, Andy Tracy, Rich Thompson and John Mayberry Jr.

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Friday's capacity crowd of 10,000 pushed the season's attendance to 565,172, a solid second in the International League to Columbus (588,559 through Friday's home game with Toledo).

Assuming the IronPigs average 9,000 a game over their final eight home dates (and no rainouts), they'll finish the season at just under 640,000, an increase of just under 38,000 over last year.

Through Friday the IronPigs average is 9,116 per game.

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On the surface it would appear that IronPig pitchers have suffered since the departure of Lou Marson.

In 20 games since Marson was dealt to Cleveland in the trade for Cliff Lee, Lehigh Valley pitchers had a 5.18 ERA, up from the 3.75 ERA in the first 105 games.

However, those 20 games also include two spot starts by Jake Woods and shortened outings by Rodrigo Lopez and Kyle Kendrick in their first outings after their return from Philadelphia.

Speaking of Marson, he's hitting .340 for Columbus since the trade. Carlos Carrasco was after his fifth straight win for the Clippers on Friday night, but Jason Donald returned back to the disabled list on Aug. 13.

The fourth player given up by the Phillies in the deal, Single-A pitcher Jason Knapp, just returned to the mound after a stint on the DL. He's thrown 5.2 innings in two starts at Lake County, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out seven.

Thursday's auction of the green jerseys worn by the IronPigs in their game against Scranton raised about $7,000 for IronPigs Charities and Compass Charter Schools.

The biggest sellers, in no particular order, were Jason Elison, Mike Cervenak, Andy Tracy, Rich Thompson and John Mayberry Jr.

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Friday's capacity crowd of 10,000 pushed the season's attendance to 565,172, a solid second in the International League to Columbus (588,559 through Friday's home game with Toledo).

Assuming the IronPigs average 9,000 a game over their final eight home dates (and no rainouts), they'll finish the season at just under 640,000, an increase of just under 38,000 over last year.

Through Friday the IronPigs average is 9,116 per game.

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On the surface it would appear that IronPig pitchers have suffered since the departure of Lou Marson.

In 20 games since Marson was dealt to Cleveland in the trade for Cliff Lee, Lehigh Valley pitchers had a 5.18 ERA, up from the 3.75 ERA in the first 105 games.

However, those 20 games also include two spot starts by Jake Woods and shortened outings by Rodrigo Lopez and Kyle Kendrick in their first outings after their return from Philadelphia.

Speaking of Marson, he's hitting .340 for Columbus since the trade. Carlos Carrasco was after his fifth straight win for the Clippers on Friday night, but Jason Donald returned back to the disabled list on Aug. 13.

The fourth player given up by the Phillies in the deal, Single-A pitcher Jason Knapp, just returned to the mound after a stint on the DL. He's thrown 5.2 innings in two starts at Lake County, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out seven.

It rained throughout the afternoon here, ending around 5 p.m., and oth managers, Scranton's Dave Miley and the IronPigs' Dave Huppert, spent about 20 minutes with Scranton front office personnel, including GM Jeremy Ruby and team president Rose Kristen, inspecting the soggy right field area.

From a distance it seemed pretty clear that neither manager really wanted to put their players on the field tonight. But obviously, for financial reasons, management wants the game to be played.

The drainage problems at PNC Field have been well-documented throughout the season. I'm told this is the third time since the quick-fix was done around the all-star break that a game has been jeopardy after afternoon rains, but both times the game was played.

At the moment there's no activity on the field. The field hasn't been prepped, and there's still standing water at various spots on the warning track behind home plate.

There's also several inches of standing water in the home-team dugout. Plus, the TV booth (the game is scheduled to be shown on Blue Ridge Cable) has no power, the result of leaks that shorted out the electrical power.

The general consenus seems to be that the stadium problems here is nothing that a few well-placed sticks of dynamite can't take care of...

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The game was eventually called off around 7 p.m. due to unplayable field conditions.

It rained throughout the afternoon here, ending around 5 p.m., and oth managers, Scranton's Dave Miley and the IronPigs' Dave Huppert, spent about 20 minutes with Scranton front office personnel, including GM Jeremy Ruby and team president Rose Kristen, inspecting the soggy right field area.

From a distance it seemed pretty clear that neither manager really wanted to put their players on the field tonight. But obviously, for financial reasons, management wants the game to be played.

The drainage problems at PNC Field have been well-documented throughout the season. I'm told this is the third time since the quick-fix was done around the all-star break that a game has been jeopardy after afternoon rains, but both times the game was played.

At the moment there's no activity on the field. The field hasn't been prepped, and there's still standing water at various spots on the warning track behind home plate.

There's also several inches of standing water in the home-team dugout. Plus, the TV booth (the game is scheduled to be shown on Blue Ridge Cable) has no power, the result of leaks that shorted out the electrical power.

The general consenus seems to be that the stadium problems here is nothing that a few well-placed sticks of dynamite can't take care of...

---

The game was eventually called off around 7 p.m. due to unplayable field conditions.

I sort of brushed over the 2010 schedule when it popped in my e-mail box this morning; I just wanted to get it posted before handling some things around the house and getting ready to come to Scranton.

During the rain delay I spent some time in the radio booth chatting with Matt Provence and Jon Schaeffer when they asked me if I noticed the "one-game" road trip.

Somewhat in disbelief, I checked the schedule when I got back to the press box.

And there it was.

A one-day trip to Pawtucket on July 3.

That's after the IronPigs play two games at Coca-Cola Park with Rochester the last two days of June, and two at home with Syracuse the first two days of July.

And after that 24-hour jaunt to New England, it's back to Coca-Cola Park to host the PawSox for three more.

Does this make sense to anyone?

The "reason" behind the ridiculous situation is an International League rule that each team must have a home game either July 3 or July 4.

For the most part, schedules are set up that one series will end on July 3, and the next begins on July 4. What that's not the case in this situation, I don't know.

What I do know is that Dave Huppert, assuming he's back here next season (and NO, I don't have any information that he won't be), will be absolutely livid to have to spend 10-plus hours on the bus for one game just to satisfy a league rule.

Huppert has had numerous complaints about the schedule over the past two years, especially over the timing of the many morning games that dot the schedule.

He's also no fan of all the two-game series the IL uses to spread out visits by divisional rivals to each other.

So I can imagine what his reaction was when this little bombshell was dropped on him.

And just imagine if, after the IronPigs get into Pawtucket sometime in the wee hours of the morning of July 3, they head to McCoy Stadium later that night to find rain in the forecast.

I sort of brushed over the 2010 schedule when it popped in my e-mail box this morning; I just wanted to get it posted before handling some things around the house and getting ready to come to Scranton.

During the rain delay I spent some time in the radio booth chatting with Matt Provence and Jon Schaeffer when they asked me if I noticed the "one-game" road trip.

Somewhat in disbelief, I checked the schedule when I got back to the press box.

And there it was.

A one-day trip to Pawtucket on July 3.

That's after the IronPigs play two games at Coca-Cola Park with Rochester the last two days of June, and two at home with Syracuse the first two days of July.

And after that 24-hour jaunt to New England, it's back to Coca-Cola Park to host the PawSox for three more.

Does this make sense to anyone?

The "reason" behind the ridiculous situation is an International League rule that each team must have a home game either July 3 or July 4.

For the most part, schedules are set up that one series will end on July 3, and the next begins on July 4. What that's not the case in this situation, I don't know.

What I do know is that Dave Huppert, assuming he's back here next season (and NO, I don't have any information that he won't be), will be absolutely livid to have to spend 10-plus hours on the bus for one game just to satisfy a league rule.

Huppert has had numerous complaints about the schedule over the past two years, especially over the timing of the many morning games that dot the schedule.

He's also no fan of all the two-game series the IL uses to spread out visits by divisional rivals to each other.

So I can imagine what his reaction was when this little bombshell was dropped on him.

And just imagine if, after the IronPigs get into Pawtucket sometime in the wee hours of the morning of July 3, they head to McCoy Stadium later that night to find rain in the forecast.

Talked to Michael Taylor before batting practice tonight, and he said the oblique strain he suffered in Buffalo will likely keep him out of the lineup through the weekend at the least.

That will leave manager Dave Huppert with a relatively short bench, although since the IronPigs play American League opponents through next Thursday we won't see a repeat of Thursday night when Huppert had reliever Cedrick Bowers hit with two out and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh after the IronPigs had scored twice to take a 3-1 lead at Buffalo.

Huppert had J.J. Furmaniak, Jason Ellison and back-up catcher Tuffy Gosewisch on the bench but decided he wanted Bowers, who had come in the previous inning to get the last two outs and strand two runners, to pitch another inning rather than lose him to a pinch-hitter.

Bowers worked a 3-1 count before grounding out to third on a full-count pitch, ending the inning. He then worked a scoreless seventh before turning the game over to Jason Anderson, who got hit hard for one of the few times this season as the Bisons scored eight times in the eighth to win 9-4.

Talked to Michael Taylor before batting practice tonight, and he said the oblique strain he suffered in Buffalo will likely keep him out of the lineup through the weekend at the least.

That will leave manager Dave Huppert with a relatively short bench, although since the IronPigs play American League opponents through next Thursday we won't see a repeat of Thursday night when Huppert had reliever Cedrick Bowers hit with two out and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh after the IronPigs had scored twice to take a 3-1 lead at Buffalo.

Huppert had J.J. Furmaniak, Jason Ellison and back-up catcher Tuffy Gosewisch on the bench but decided he wanted Bowers, who had come in the previous inning to get the last two outs and strand two runners, to pitch another inning rather than lose him to a pinch-hitter.

Bowers worked a 3-1 count before grounding out to third on a full-count pitch, ending the inning. He then worked a scoreless seventh before turning the game over to Jason Anderson, who got hit hard for one of the few times this season as the Bisons scored eight times in the eighth to win 9-4.

After opening their first two International League seasons against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the IronPigs will see different faces across the diamond when they begin the 2010 season.

The IronPigs will open the 2010 season with a six-game road trip to Syracuse and Pawtucket before playing their first game at Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday, April 14, against Rochester.

The home schedule features 21 weekend home dates and 11 Friday night games, in addition to home games on Mother's Day, Father's Day, the Fourth of July (for the first time) and Labor Day.

It also features three morning games -- Tuesday, May 4 (10:35 a.m. vs. Indianapolis), Thursday, May 20 (10:35 a.m. vs. Louisville) and Thursday, July 29 (11:05 a.m. vs. Durham). The Labor Day finale vs. Scranton will begin at 1:35 p.m.

The Yankees come to town for the first time on June 17-20, and then not until four times in the final eight games of the season, Aug. 30-31 and the last two games on Sept. 5-6. The IronPigs travel to Scranton on April 23-26 and then for two-game series July 10-11 and Aug.26-27.

The home schedule of course is highlighted by the Triple-A All-Star game on July 14. The all-star game breaks up a 12-game road trip that includes two games at Syracuse and at Scranton before the break and four games series at Louisville and at Indianapolis afterward.

The IronPigs will play nine home games in April, 16 in May, 14 each ini June and July, 15 in August and the final four in September.

The IronPigs also announced that Saturday night games will begin at 6:36 p.m. instead of 7:05 p.m.

After opening their first two International League seasons against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the IronPigs will see different faces across the diamond when they begin the 2010 season.

The IronPigs will open the 2010 season with a six-game road trip to Syracuse and Pawtucket before playing their first game at Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday, April 14, against Rochester.

The home schedule features 21 weekend home dates and 11 Friday night games, in addition to home games on Mother's Day, Father's Day, the Fourth of July (for the first time) and Labor Day.

It also features three morning games -- Tuesday, May 4 (10:35 a.m. vs. Indianapolis), Thursday, May 20 (10:35 a.m. vs. Louisville) and Thursday, July 29 (11:05 a.m. vs. Durham). The Labor Day finale vs. Scranton will begin at 1:35 p.m.

The Yankees come to town for the first time on June 17-20, and then not until four times in the final eight games of the season, Aug. 30-31 and the last two games on Sept. 5-6. The IronPigs travel to Scranton on April 23-26 and then for two-game series July 10-11 and Aug.26-27.

The home schedule of course is highlighted by the Triple-A All-Star game on July 14. The all-star game breaks up a 12-game road trip that includes two games at Syracuse and at Scranton before the break and four games series at Louisville and at Indianapolis afterward.

The IronPigs will play nine home games in April, 16 in May, 14 each ini June and July, 15 in August and the final four in September.

The IronPigs also announced that Saturday night games will begin at 6:36 p.m. instead of 7:05 p.m.